Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1887-07-26
How He Dodged Vote In the In
terest Of Miners and
Laborers.

tegebv Ol mluerB anu
Laborers.
With the audacity Of Cataline, j.
ii. Lunsford has denied that he voted,
while member of the last Legisla-
ture, for the convict labor bill. We
herewith present the evidence, taken
from tho House Journal, together
with some other interesting reading
in regard 10 the record he made in
that body. We invite the careful at
tention of workingmen, laborers,
miners, renters, taxpayers and poor
men especially TO the votes of this al
legged friend of the poor men on the
various questions affecting their in
terests.
THE TEN YEAR CONVICT BILL.
A bill was introduced in the House
May IA 10 "systematlze and make adj
ditional provisions for the govern
ment, management and discipline OF
the penitentiary of Kentucky" under
which the Commissioners of the
Sinking Fund were given power and
authority TO lease convicts for labor
on railroads, ETC., fer period of ten
years. On May 10 various amend
meDts and substitutes were rejected |
and the bill was finally passed by a
vote of "a to y. Ten Republicans, a
majority of the Republican members
of the House, voted aye and j. II.
LuRsf0rd Was one of Tie number, his
denial 10 the contrary notwithstand-
ing.
IN FAVOR OF CHILD LABOR.
A bill to prohibit and punish the
employment of children under IA
years in mines and factories, prepared
by the Louisville Trades and Labor
Assembly, was referred to the Com
mittee on immigration and Labor,
where 1t remained several months !
On May IA it was reported and read
twice. Mr.. Lunsford, of Hopkins,
objected TO the third reading, and the
bill dropped into the orders of the
day aud was never heard of again.
1t will be seen that Lunsford is alone
responsible for the defeat of this bill,
which was designed TO prevent the
inhuman working of young boys in
coal mines, etc.
AFTER THE POOR RENTERS SOUL.
The Landlords Lien" bill was an
other bad bill, introduced in the
House Jan. - and Mr.. Lunsford
voted fol- it. The following was the {
language of the bill:
Be 1t enacted, &c. That hereafter the land
lords OF this commonwealth shall have lien
upon all the produce raised upon the leased
premises for the payment OF the rent due FOL
The leased premises. Sec. 2 repealed all ex-
emption laws in conflict and Sec. provided
for it TO take effect Immediately.
The bill was favorably reported by
the Committee OH Agriculture and
Mr.. Owens moved to lay it ON the
table. This was rejected by the vote
Of Mr.. Lunsford and 80 other mem
bers, % votes being recorded in ia
gor of Owens resolution. He thus
put himself on record as being in ia "
Eor Of confscating the poor renters g
growing crop, his body and his soul. T"
But perhaps Mr.. Lunsford is himself
4 landlord and
when self the trembling balance turns IL
IT'S rarely well adjusted" b
An amendment to the bill came up Il
and no quorum voting the bill went b
INTO the orders and was not called up
again.
FAVORED A STANDING ARMY.
A bill TO increase the militia of the
State, suggested by the Greenwood
roubles, was introduced. The object
vas to have force large enough to
uppress labor agitation, strikes and
esistance to convict labor. Mr.. Luns-
ord represented mining county
7here these troubles were most like ~
10 occur, but SO inimical was he to
he interests of labor and so friendly ,b
the convict system that he voted nj
ice times in favor of the bill. The h;
Irst vote was upon motion to table, W
which was lost by 30 TO 80. LunJord 81
oted no and in.t dvor Of The bin. NJ
The previous question was ordered ',
nd motion 10 strike out the pream- n,
le lost without the ayes and noes. al
motion to strike out the enacling W
ection was rejected, 81 to 40. Luns- pc
ord Uoted no and in fdror ofthe bin, IN
did also 8 other Republicans. 81
A motion to table the bill was next an
elected by 80 10 80, Luasford voted n,
% and faJdcor Of The bill. pl
Mr.. Stratus moved to adjourn and at
revent the passage of the bill. Re- III
scted, q to A. Lunsford and 10 W,
Tier Republicans voted no and in :"
auor of the bill. ;t
The hour of adjournment forced m
he bill over and Apr. II OH motion in
read the bill third time Lunsford a
nd 20 others voted aye, but no quo tu
I'm voting, the bill was lost in the ~
rders Of the day. ~
AGAINST LABOR AGAIN. WI
The Louisville Trades and Labor at
ssembly prepared bill establish D De